storage vs. memory

storage vs. memory

Storage and memory are two important places where everything happens in a computer. Storage comprises hard drives, solid state drives, etc., which hold programs and data. The primary attribute of storage is that it retains its content when the power is turned off. Storage is "non-volatile."

Memory is made up of RAM chips, which can typically be expanded in a desktop computer but not in a phone or tablet. In contrast to storage, memory (RAM) loses all of its content when the power is turned off. Memory is "volatile."

When an application is run, the software and data are copied from storage to memory (RAM), and memory is where all calculating and comparing take place.

A Lot of Confusion What has caused the most confusion with these terms is that several common storage devices use "flash memory" chips (see below). Consequently, people think storage and memory are the same. To avoid all confusion, refer to "storage" and "RAM" rather than storage and memory. For more details, see storage, memory and storage memory.

This Engadget blog described a Kindle tablet using the traditional storage/memory definitions.

They're All Chips, But...

The RAM chips (top) and the storage chips (bottom) in a USB drive and CompactFlash card (cases are removed) may look alike, but RAM chips are fast and volatile, while storage chips are slower and non-volatile. See memory module, USB drive and CompactFlash.

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